Written by Scott on Thursday, December 18th, 2025
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5 games yesterday.
Panthers beat the Kings 3-2 in a fairly even game. The Mammoth handled the Red Wings winning 4-1 snapping the Wings win streak at 2.
The Devils beat the Knights 2-1 in a shootout, the Blues beat the Jets 1-0 and the Canes beat the Preds 4-1.
10 games tonight.
Blackhawks vs Canadiens
Either team has been very good of late.
They played back on October 11th with the Habs winning that one 3-2.
With Bedard out I can’t take the Hawks here. The Canadiens have a losing record at home going 8-9-1 so no confidence in them here.
Penguins vs Senators
The Pens are deep in the shit at the moment. They have lost 6 games in a row but to their credit 4 of them were in extra time.
The Sens are in 7th in the Atlantic and are hovering around the .500 mark going 15-13-4. Even at home it the same thing goong 6-6-2 in Ottawa.
Not taking the Pens here with that skid they are on and the Sens playing .500 and with them winning their last game.
Just feel better avoiding this game.
Oilers vs Bruins
Decent play from both teams over their last 10.
The Oilers are in 3rd in the Pacific and the Bruins are 2nd in the Atlantic. Oilers are 3rd in GPG and the Bruins are 6th. For GAPG the Oilers are 27th and the Bruins are 18th.
Oilers 8-9-3 on the road and the Bruins are 12-5-0 at home. In the last 10 games the Oilers are 6-3-1 and the Bruins are 7-3-0. This game could go either way.
Kings vs Lightning
Kings played yesterday and lost to the Panthers.
Lightning have lost last 2 games and the 2 games before that were both wins but against struggling teams in the Devils and the Habs. They have a home record of 8-8 which isnt helping me make a pick here.
Kings just playing and the Lightning not wowing me especially at home and it’s another pass.
Wild vs Jackets
With the way the Wild have been playing since Hughes came over has been great. They are in 3rd place overall and aren’t far back.
The Jackets are 3-4-3 in last 10 games. These teams played once this season and that was back on October 11th. Things have changed since then.
Wild win incl OT/SO
Ontario: 1.83 Odds at Bet365 (Americans: We recommend http://www.bovada.lv
Rest of Canada: 1.86 Odds at BetOnline.
USA: -115 Odds at BetOnline.
Everyone Else: 1.86 Odds at BetOnline.
(Odds correct as of 2025/12/18 8:12:05 AM EST but are subject to change.)
Leafs vs Capitals
The last played on the 28th and the Caps won that one 4-2.
The Leafs got Woll back which is going to help them going forward. In last 10 they are 6-2-2. On the road they have gone 5-7-0.
Caps are also 6-2-2 in last 10 but have lost their last 3 games. Decent at home going 10-5-2.
The data is too close so it doesn’t help me at all in making a decision here.
Flyers vs Sabres
Last played on December 3rd with the Flyers winning 5-2.
The Flyers haven’t looked bad over last 10 going 5-2-3. The Sabres have won 3 in a row and are 5-5 last 10.
For GPG Flyers are 24th and the Sabres are 18th. For GAPG the Flyers are 8th and the Sabres are 27th.
I could see this game going either way. I have to pass.
Rangers vs Blues
Rangers tough to back this season. They are too streaky. The Blues are the same and can’t tell which version will show up.
Kraken vs Flames
Nothing here.
Stars vs Sharks
Just played on December 5th and the Stars won 4-1.
The Stars are in 2nd place overall and 7-2-1 in last 10. They have had a great season so far and will need to keep it up as the Wild are making a run for them and have only a 4 point lead.
The Sharks are on a 3 game win streak and Celebrini has been amazing. They are 6-4-0 in last 10 and are in 5th in the Pacific.
The Stars road record of 11-2-4 vs the Sharks home record of 10-5-3 plus their win streak has this possibly being a close game. Would have to take the Stars money line and I’m fine skipping this.
MIN – ml (recent form / goaltending)
TBL – ml (whos Copley? Plays 1
Game / year?)
High prob. Strong lean
PIT/OTT – o5.5
EDM/BOS – o6.0
TOR/WAS – u6.5
TBL/LAK – u6.5
This one is not so confident as both can explode offensively. However,
CBJ/MIN – u7.0 (odds here no good, pair with NGf5?? )
Pittsburgh vs Ottawa Over 5.5 -170
Alt Line. Solid Offensive numbers and not great goaltending.